INDECISION
After seeing Helen Tillotson to the embassy, Phil and Sydney went
direct to the hotel, for there was but scant time to dress and
accompany Captain Rodgers to the state dinner, given that evening by
the American ambassador to the visiting officers and their Japanese
naval hosts.
Bursting with the important and exciting news, the two lads, heedless
of Phil’s appearance in his blood-stained uniform, went straightway to
Captain Rodgers’ room. There they found their commanding officer in the
midst of his toilet, and they gave a gasp of surprise to see Sago, the
steward, quietly aiding his master in his dressing.
“Come in,” was Captain Rodgers’ cheery answer to their inquiry through
the half open door. “Why, what’s the matter?” he cried out in alarm
after one glance at Phil’s blood-stained face.
Phil stood nonplussed before his captain. Sago turned pale under his
parchment-like skin. Before the midshipman could speak, the steward
attempted to excuse himself and withdraw, but Sydney barred his way and
the two lads entered the room, closing the door behind them.
“What on earth has happened?” Captain Rodgers exclaimed sternly.
Phil saw his reflection in the glass, and the sight caused him to start
in alarm. One side of his face was smeared with blood; his coat was
open, and inside his white shirt there showed a red blot from the wound
on his chest. He knew the hurts were not serious, but his appearance
was ghastly.
“We’ve unraveled the whole plot!” Phil exclaimed, not heeding his
captain’s inquiry. “Mr. Impey has deliberately misrepresented
everything to us. He has fooled the Japanese too, and they have sent
Captain Inaba, or at least Impey says so, and Taki corroborates it, to
intercept and take the Chinese war-ships.”
Captain Rodgers threw an anxious glance in Sago’s direction. The
steward had withdrawn to a corner of the room and was standing with
his back to the Americans.
“Impey told us that Sago went to the Minister of War or to some one
there and told that O’Neil had the missing secret document,” Phil
said quickly in answering his captain’s unspoken question as to the
propriety of speaking before the steward. “We can’t blame him though,
sir,” he added generously. “After all, his blood is Japanese, and we
had no right to the letter.”
Sago’s face beamed with gratitude as he turned toward the Americans.
“Sago very loyal to America, captain,” the Japanese steward exclaimed
earnestly, coming forward timidly. “Sago very much afraid when he
see the letter. Captain Inaba my old friend. I tell him where is the
letter. I very sorry to offend my captain.”
Captain Rodgers looked puzzled. He glanced hastily at his watch. “Go
and get yourselves ready,” he ordered suddenly. “We’ve less than an
hour. When I am dressed, I’ll come in and you can tell me the whole
story. I can’t understand these fragmentary descriptions.”
The lads quietly obeyed, and once in their own room Sydney carefully
washed and antiseptically dressed Phil’s scars of battle. The
midshipmen were struggling into their evening uniform when the captain
appeared, looking very imposing in his gold lace and medals.
The lads began at the beginning and gave him minutely all the important
information which they had learned since their arrival in Tokyo, and
also a short account of their differences with Lieutenant Takishima
which had ended so happily. Captain Rodgers took Phil seriously to task
for breaking the anti-dueling rule, but he promised no further action.
“What can be the aim of this fellow Impey?” Captain Rodgers said
quietly after he had admonished the lads in his severe stern official
voice. “Who will benefit by a war between us and Japan?”
Captain Rodgers sat silent, thinking deeply while the midshipmen,
assisted by the grateful Sago, finished their toilet.
“There’s a European country mixed up in this somewhere,” he said half
to himself. “That country has a railroad in Manchuria, and is building
a new road toward the valuable mining districts of Shensi Province in
China.”
Phil and Sydney had stopped in their dressing, and were listening
eagerly.
“When the Chinese prince was in America, our bankers closed a loan
to the Chinese government of many millions of dollars; for this an
American syndicate received a concession from Peking to build a
railroad from Amay through Shensi Province. This road will be an outlet
for the richest coal, iron, copper and silver mines in China.” Captain
Rodgers again stopped and tapped the floor with his foot, a favorite
habit when he was thinking deeply.
“A war between the United States and Japan, if Japan were victorious
on the sea, would make void this concession. This European country is
building without a concession from China, in violation of China’s right
to say who shall exploit her resources. Japan victorious, America could
not build the railroad; the vast riches of Shensi Province would pass
over the railroad of this European country.”
“What country?” Phil asked, unable to control his curiosity longer.
Captain Rodgers smiled knowingly and shrugged his epauletted shoulders.
“If the United States were victorious,” he continued, without answering
Phil’s question, “then there would be another part of China which Japan
would be forced to evacuate, and this European country would be equally
well off. Yes,” the captain added, as though convinced, “that must be
the correct diagnosis.”
The midshipmen had drunk in every word of their captain’s able summing
up, and now gazed at him eager to hear more.
“Then who is Impey?” they asked almost in a breath.
“He must be that country’s agent,” Captain Rodgers replied quickly,
“and probably agent also for the shipbuilding firms who built the
Chinese navy and are now wondering where they will get their money, for
China is in the throes of internal strife. If these ships are bought by
Japan or the United States a very fancy figure would of necessity be
paid.
“Sago,” Captain Rodgers added, and the steward bowed low in answer,
“remember the United States wishes to be Japan’s friend. Her interests
and Japan’s are not really in conflict. It is these interested third
parties who are forcing us to be unfriendly and maybe to fight.”
Sago bowed again and drew in his breath sharply in sign of agreement.
“Will you tell me just what was in that letter?” the captain asked.
Sago hesitated several minutes, while the three American officers
waited patiently, no sign of intimidation in their attitude toward the
uncertain Japanese.
“It said the United States ships in Manila will be ordered to seize
the Chinese ships. That United States make law to keep all Japanese
out of America and the Philippine Islands. That United States want to
capture Formosa. That United States and some European countries want to
make Japan give up Manchuria. It then say Japan must quick buy Chinese
ships and America would be afraid to make war because Japan then be too
strong.” Sago spoke jerkily and slowly, selecting his words carefully
while he translated, in his mind, the characters of the secret letter.
“And all of that misinformation came to the Japanese through Mr. Impey
and his agents!” Captain Rodgers exclaimed angrily. “What a wonderful
imagination Impey must have! And so the Japanese have rushed away to
take the Chinese ships to prevent their falling into our hands. How
easily an intelligent nation’s suspicions can be aroused. The Japanese
diplomats believed that letter was an accurate summing up of the
situation, and in reality America has not raised a hand to acquire
these vessels.
“To whom was this letter addressed and by whom signed?” Captain Rodgers
asked earnestly of the steward, who seemed now only too anxious to give
all the information possible.
“Addressed to the advisers of the Emperor and signed by the chief
officers of naval and military services,” Sago answered unhesitatingly.
“Captain Inaba is their right hand man!” Phil exclaimed. “He probably
composed the letter, and Taki said he knew the contents.”
“Only half of the secret has been unraveled,” Captain Rodgers said
thoughtfully. “Impey took his garbled story of the letter to our
ambassador. He probably also went to Captain Inaba with the tale that
the letter was in the hands of our sailors; Captain Inaba has gone to
seize the Chinese ships before our fleet in Manila can intercept them.
Impey gave you this information and Takishima has confirmed it.”
Captain Rodgers was silent for a few moments, then a slight smile
curved the corners of his mouth.
“Our ambassador sent a cable to the State Department giving the
information which Impey brought him,” he said slowly and thoughtfully.
“The ‘Shimbunshi’ claims to have received a cable saying our government
had determined to take the Chinese ships. I believe the cable was
pure fabrication--Impey’s imagination. Still,” he ended abruptly, “I
am puzzled to explain all of his actions. At times he impressed me as
being honest.”
Phil smiled in a satisfied way. Had he not suspected him from the
first?
“The situation is a very grave one,” Captain Rodgers said to the
lads, after they were in the carriage and driving rapidly through the
streets, illuminated in honor of their visit, on their way to the
American Embassy. “When two nations mistrust each other’s actions, the
seizing of the war-ships of a neutral and weak power like China is very
certain to precipitate a condition which will be a step toward war.”
Phil and Sydney nodded their heads in silent understanding.
“And I am afraid that the ambassador and I are quite powerless to
change the situation,” he continued thoughtfully. “The only way
possible would be to induce the Japanese government to refrain from
this seizure.”
“Takishima said that was now impossible,” Phil exclaimed in much
perturbation, for he had not believed the mere seizure of the Chinese
ships by Japan would lead to war.
Further conversation was cut short as their carriage rolled up through
the smooth driveway to the door of the American Embassy. The lads
caught glimpses of much gold lace as they followed their captain into
the brightly lighted hallway, where their capes and hats were handed
over to numerous attentive servants.
Once in the large reception room, dazzled by the handsomely gowned
women and the glitter of Japan’s chivalry, both military and naval, the
situation dwindled in importance. Impey was there, and Phil caught his
eye almost immediately upon entering the room. The lad’s face flushed
and there was anger in his heart as the part Impey was playing came
again into his mind.
At dinner Phil was deeply gratified to find himself between Helen and
Takishima.
“Is what I heard about Mr. Impey true?” the former asked Phil in
a low voice amid the loud hum of conversation about them. “Has he
intentionally misrepresented the condition of affairs to father?”
Phil nodded. “Worse than that,” the lad whispered impressively. “He
is responsible for all those articles in the ‘Shimbunshi’ slandering
Americans. He has fooled both the Japanese and ourselves, and has
brought the two countries precious near to a war.
“You wouldn’t think it by looking about this table, would you?” he
added in grim humor.
The entire Japanese cabinet and the highest of its naval and military
officers, with the officers of the “Alaska,” were seated there in
friendly conversation, as if no thought of the horrors that might
come had entered their minds. Within a week, if Impey’s plans were
successful, these same people might be pitted against each other in a
terrible naval battle.
“Does father know this?” the girl asked anxiously. “I thought of
telling him what I had overheard at that unfortunate affair between you
and Lieutenant Takishima, but I was afraid I had not heard aright, and
I was too much agitated afterward to ask you to explain.”
“I shall tell him to-night,” Phil replied, “unless Captain Rodgers
does. I have told our captain everything except----” Phil stopped
abruptly while Helen raised her eyes to his face in inquiry.
“Except what?” she asked quickly.
[Illustration: _“EXCEPT WHAT” SHE ASKED_]
“Oh, nothing,” Phil began, and then after a second’s thought he changed
his mind. Why should he not tell? Every one near them was busy
talking and no one could possibly overhear. “Impey said that he had an
order signed by the Wai-Wu-Pu, to turn over the Chinese squadron to
the Americans, and wanted me to take his yacht, the ‘Sylvia,’ and beat
the Japanese ships south. You know that we think they have gone with
Captain Inaba to seize the Chinese squadron off Singapore Straits.”
“Why don’t you tell that to father?” she asked.
“Impey assured us that your father already knew of this letter from the
Wai-Wu-Pu,” Phil returned.
Before the girl could answer, her neighbor on the other side claimed
her attention, much to Phil’s chagrin, and he unconsciously frowned in
the direction of Lieutenant Winston, the intruder.
“Our friend Impey has been watching you very closely, Perry,” Takishima
said in a low voice as Phil turned away from Helen’s averted face.
“Watching us both, I imagine,” he replied. “A much colored account
of our little misunderstanding this afternoon will probably figure
prominently in the ‘Shimbunshi’ to-morrow,” he added in concern.
“I’ve seen to that,” Takishima assured him. “The ‘Shimbunshi’ has been
suppressed by the prime minister’s order. And all cablegrams from the
country are being censored, and nothing can be sent in cipher.”
“I wish you could persuade your minister to recall Captain Inaba,” Phil
urged earnestly. “Captain Rodgers believes that if he seizes the ships
a war may still be the outcome.”
After the dinner was over Phil and Sydney maneuvered to have a quiet
talk with Takishima. A bold plan, the seed of which had been sown in
Phil’s mind by Impey’s proposal to use the yacht, had occurred to the
midshipman. Phil was not sure the “Sylvia” would be allowed to leave
Yokohama harbor, but a word from the Japanese lieutenant would be
enough.
Helen was taken into the conspiracy, and with the three classmates
quietly stole away to a sun parlor in the back of the legation.
“No one will find us here,” Helen whispered breathlessly, her face
showing keen excitement.
Phil, remembering Takishima’s promise to be open and frank with him,
began by asking the question that seemed to be the most important to
clear up.
“Have your war-ships been given orders to prevent the sailing of the
‘Alaska’?”
Takishima’s eyes opened in mild surprise.
“How could you believe that Japan would be so impolite?” he replied.
“Who is responsible for such a rumor?”
“Impey, of course,” Phil returned, smilingly, “the source of all our
misinformation.
“But,” Phil persisted, “if the ‘Alaska’ should leave now and send a
wireless to the American fleet in Manila to take the Chinese ships,
Captain Inaba’s mission would fail.”
Takishima was thoughtful.
“We should not stop the ‘Alaska,’” he said decidedly. “What steps our
Minister of Marine would take afterward I cannot say, but of course
you know we would take all steps possible to insure Captain Inaba’s
success.”
“If you were sure America did not want the Chinese ships, your minister
would be willing to have Captain Inaba fail, wouldn’t he?” Phil asked.
“Yes, certainly,” Takishima answered without a moment’s hesitation.
“Impey, as the agent of the builders of these ships, desires them to go
to either the United States or Japan.
“That is Captain Rodgers’ opinion,” Phil continued. “The ships were
built for China, but as yet not paid for. Impey declares he has in his
pocket an order from the Chinese council for the throne, the great
Wai-Wu-Pu, to turn the ships over to the American government. If he
were not the agent how could he get such an order?”
Takishima shook his head in sign of mystery.
“Cannot we manage to prevent either nation from getting them?” the
midshipman asked excitedly. “Then all would be settled amicably.”
“How could we do the impossible?” Takishima asked, his dark eyes
sparkling.
“Get this order from Impey. Use the ‘Sylvia’ and take the Chinese ships
into Manila Bay,” Phil replied quickly. “Our admiral would look out for
them and convey them back to China.”
Takishima drew himself up stiffly.
“What do you mean?” he gasped. “That I should betray my country, and
deliver the ships into your admiral’s hands?”
Phil in his earnestness had certainly made a blunder.
“Phil means to put the Chinese ships out of the reach of both nations,”
Sydney hastened to explain, and Phil nodded gratefully.
“I can’t see how that can be done,” Takishima replied, after several
minutes’ thought. “I am very sorry, but as a Japanese naval officer I
cannot take any action that would defeat the aim of the Emperor. His
Majesty has made his decision; that decision cannot be changed.”
“Then you refuse to help us to avert this war!” Phil exclaimed.
“There is nothing else honorable for me to do,” Takishima answered.